Chicken-based camera stabilization more effective than the human head mount (video)

As you're undoubtedly well aware, the chicken's vestibulo-ocular reflex and gaze stabilizing function (Google it!) is highly evolved, making it just the thing for steadying your camera. Of course, you need access to live poultry, a tiny camera, some sort of rubber band, and the patience and skill to befriend a rooster and bring him to your film shoots. You've already seen one loyal Engadget reader's fledgling attempts at the Chicken Powered Steadicam[TM], but you can rest assured that this fowl gadget (groan) is constantly in development. Check out our friend Jeremiah's video after the break to see comparison shots between a rooster cam, a handheld camera, and one just sort of strapped to Jeremiah's head.Continue reading Chicken-based camera stabilization more effective than the human head mount (video)Chicken-based camera stabilization more effective than the human head mount (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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FastMac U-Socket delayed yet again, now supposedly shipping in January

Remember the $10 FastMac U-Socket that first turned up way back in December of 2009 and was then beset by a number of delays that most recently led to a promised October ship date and inflated $20 price tag? Well, it didn't ship then either, but the company is now apparently telling customers that it's really, finally getting ready to ship the USB-equipped power socket sometime next month (despite a note on the company's website that still says it's shipping "mid-December"). Anyone ordering one now will apparently still have to wait a bit longer, though -- the company apparently only expects things to return to "normal" by February.

[Thanks, Greg]FastMac U-Socket delayed yet again, now supposedly shipping in January originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  FastMac  | Email this | Comments

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Stickpecker: Chopsticks You Can Crack Apart Over and Over Again

To the Japanese, the crack of splitting apart a pair of chopsticks is apparently as satisfying as the splitting the membrane-like seal on a jar of instant coffee is to us. More, it signifies the start of a meal, even if that meal is the kind eaten with disposable, takeaway cutlery.
This has led to the [...]

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Skype for iPhone brings video calls over 3G

A little sooner than expected, Skype has just launched a new version of its iOS app [iTunes] that enables Skype-to-Skype video calls, via Wi-Fi or 3G.

Those lucky enough to have an iPhone 4 or 3GS, or 4th generation iPod touch, will be able to make two-way video calls with any other Skype user, including desktop and laptop PC users, and presumably other mobile Skype users on Android or BlackBerry.

This software update also affects the iPad and third-generation iPod touch, but they can only receive video, rather than send it.

The big news, of course, is that Skype is allowing video calls over 3G. It remains to be seen what the mobile operator's response will be, once people start making use of free, high-bandwidth video-to-video calls. We always figured that the Wi-Fi-only restriction of FaceTime was enforced by mobile operators, rather than Apple!
Gallery: Skype 3.0 for iPhoneSkype for iPhone brings video calls over 3G originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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SBN Tech to show off Android-based IP Video Phone at CES

Haven't heard of SBN Tech? You're not alone, but it looks like the company is now set to make the rather valiant attempt of trying to stand out from the pack of Android tablets at CES next week. Its hook, however, is that its tablet isn't actually a tablet, but an "IP Video Phone," which may or may not be similar to the device pictured above that the company's been showing off recently. Of course, while the company may be touting it as a "video phone" first and foremost, the device appears to be a fairly standard Android tablet underneath that guise -- it packs a 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 screen, an SD card slot for expansion, and the company notes that you'll also be able to use it for email, Twitter, Facebook and all your usual Android apps. Still no word on pricing or availability, but those details should be making themselves known soon enough.
SBN Tech to show off Android-based IP Video Phone at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  AVING, Android Community  | Email this | Comments

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Wifi Analyzer for Android helps you pick the best channel for your Wi-Fi network

Most people rarely think about this, but your Wi-Fi hot-spot is actually broadcasting its signal on something called a channel. In North America, you can pick one of 11 channels; in most of the world you can pick one of 13.
Still, most routers and access points come with a pre-set default (that appears to be 11, at least for the routers around me). When you have several routers broadcasting on the same channel, this can lead to some interference and a performance hit. If you live somewhere fairly isolated and your Wi-Fi signal is the only one in range, you've got nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, if you're trying to survive in a dense urban jungle, surrounded by paper-thin walls and lots of Wi-Fi-using neighbors, you may gain a bit of a performance boost by switching your access point's channel to a less congested one.
Wifi Analyzer is an Android application that helps you figure out exactly what that channel is. The screenshot to the right shows how channels 9 and 10 are occupied by a couple of wireless network fighting over the same frequency, while my network (the red one) lives comfortably on channel 1.
Wifi analyzer offers several views, including a simple "channel rating" screen with no graph, if you just want to quickly figure out what's the best channel for you. A beautiful app, and free. QR code is after the jump.Continue reading Wifi Analyzer for Android helps you pick the best channel for your Wi-Fi networkWifi Analyzer for Android helps you pick the best channel for your Wi-Fi network originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Feeding Your E-book Habit: Borrowing From the Library

Sony Touch, Daily Edition, and Pocket Readers So you�received�a shiny new e-book reader for Christmas, now you need something to read. Most have an easy way to purchase books from a custom book store, and offer some free samples or public domain books. As a long-time e-book user I wanted to share a number of [...]

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The 19 Most Wired iPhone and iPad Apps of 2010

See Also:

15 iPad Apps You Should Download Today
10 Stellar iPad Apps That Will Blow You Away
Top Five iPad Comic-Book Apps Reviewed
GeekDad: IPhone Apps
Underwire: IPhone Apps

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Android Market listings will soon be able to display demo videos

It's hard to convey what some applications actually do through the use of static screenshots. Take apps like Dropbox, Fiabee, or Awesome Drop, for example. It's just not that easy to explain in two images how files get from your desktop to the cloud and then down to your phone. A video demo, however, could be a lot more useful -- and soon apps in the Android Market will be able to display them.

Right now, there are about 2,000 apps with newly-added videos in the Market but they aren't being displayed just yet. They're also available via the Market API, so some sites like Appsfire have already begun integrating the video demos into their own listings via the Market API. Check out AppsFire's Dropbox, Twidroyd, and Skyfire pages to see how helpful videos can be in illustrating an app's functionality.
Android Market listings will soon be able to display demo videos originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Kindle Ebook Loans Are Here [Amazon]

Amazon promised ebook loans back in late October, and today it looks as though they've finally delivered. And while Kindle loans have matched the excellence of Nook loans, the real shame is they haven't improved on the model. More »

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This Video Cheered Me Up Today—In a Depressing Kind of Way [Video]

I've seen other kinetic typography animations in the past, but none of them were as good as this one and none of them were set to such a nice poppy happy tune: Jonathan Coulton's Shop Vac. More »

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Wii Laptop mod ditches the disc, gets ultra portable (video)

The famed Ben Heckendorn concocted the first Wii Laptop of note way back in 2007, but ever since, the modding community at large has been toiling away on ways to improve it. ShockSlayer, a member over at Mod Retro, has accomplished just that, with his predictably titled Wii Laptop relying on a 7-inch LCD, an integrated sensor bar, a couple of polycases and inbuilt speakers. There's hardly anything here that couldn't be found at your local Radio Shack, save for the SunDriver -- that particular product has enabled him to ditch the DVD drive and install a SATA HDD within. From there, he burned his Wii game discs and loaded 'em all inside, making the whole thing extra mobile. Oh, and did we mention that it's powered by rechargeable batteries? Because it is. Marvel at the completed device in the video after the break.Continue reading Wii Laptop mod ditches the disc, gets ultra portable (video)Wii Laptop mod ditches the disc, gets ultra portable (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Technabob  |  Mod Retro  | Email this | Comments

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Deal of the Day ?Dell Vostro 230 Mini Tower with 20? LED LCD Monitor

The LogicBUY deal for Monday comes from the Dell Small & Medium Business store.� You?ll save on the Dell Vostro 230 3.06GHz Intel dual-core mini tower bundled with the Dell E2011H (20?) LCD monitor with LED-backlighting.� It?s equipped with 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM, 250GB hard drive, keyboard and mouse.� The operating system is Windows 7 [...]

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Zephyr solar-powered UAV breaks three more world records

The Zephyr is a winning machine. Last we reported, QinetiQ's solar-powered drone had just completed 7-days in the air, and counting. Now, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) has confirmed that Zephyr completed that record-breaking flight with a solid 2-weeks in the air (336 hours). If that wasn't enough to put other drones to shame, FAI found that Zephyr also destroyed records for flight duration for a UAV of its class, and the altitude record for that class at 21,562 meters, or 70,741 feet. So keep the records coming, Zephyr, because everyone loves a winner, even when that winner is a unmanned war machine.Zephyr solar-powered UAV breaks three more world records originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Inhabitat  |  FAI  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft's new HTML5 Labs lets developers experiment with emerging Web standards

Microsoft just launched a new site/developer playground called HTML5 Labs. It's a service letting developers experiment with parts of the HTML5 standard that are still emerging - things like WebSockets, a standard draft allowing bi-directional communication over a single TCP socket.

Rather than another shiny HTML5 showcase ready for general consumption, this is aimed at hard-core developers eager to get their hands dirty: Each prototype has to be installed and configured manually, and the whole thing comes with a big red "WARNING" label saying that the specifications are unstable and will change.

Still, if you're a Web developer trying to keep ahead of your game, it's much nicer to be able to see and play with actual implementations rather than read dry drafts of Web standards.Microsoft's new HTML5 Labs lets developers experiment with emerging Web standards originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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All Internet Explorer versions affected by newly-discovered critical flaw

Microsoft has posted a new security bulletin which describes a critical flaw in Internet Explorer which -- wait for it -- could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a compromised computer. The flaw affects all supported versions of IE and occurs because of "the creation of uninitialized memory during a CSS function within Internet Explorer."

Vista and Windows 7 users are at less risk than those on XP because of their OS's Protected Mode, which would limit the attacker's access rights. Microsoft suggests using EMET (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit) to protect all Internet Explorer processes -- but it's a tool designed for admins, not the average home user.

While there's no timetable given for an official fix, Microsoft has already begun working with security providers to ensure that additional protection can be delivered via definition updates. They also, of course, recommend running all Windows Updates, making sure your firewall is turned on, and having a good, up-to-date antimalware program installed.All Internet Explorer versions affected by newly-discovered critical flaw originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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KinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your Kinect

The Microsoft Kinect hacks just keep on coming, and we'll probably be seeing even more cool apps released now that first-party drivers are available for download. Today, we've got a glimpse at a new open source project called KinEmote in action. It's designed to take advantage of your Kinect in its natural habitat: the living room.

KinEmote is a -- you guessed it -- remote control app which allows you to interact with both Boxee and XBMC from across the room. Check out the video demo after the break to get a look at what controlling your media center PC could be like with a Kinect plugged into it!Continue reading KinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your KinectKinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your Kinect originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Gresso classies up the iPad with 18k gold logo and ancient wood case

We'll openly admit we never knew what African Blackwood was until Gresso started applying the stuff to its line of extremely luxurious cellphone mods, but now we can't imagine a new product from the Russian company without the 200-year old timber making an appearance. And sure enough, the Gresso iPad's rear is composed almost entirely of Dalbergia melanoxylon, broken up only by the insertion of an 18-karat gold Apple logo. Strangely, in spite of its extravagant constituent materials, this design is a very restrained, dare we say, classy, affair. It goes on sale on New Year's Eve at an unannounced price, but you know what they say: if you have to ask or you have to work for a living, you probably can't afford it.Gresso classies up the iPad with 18k gold logo and ancient wood case originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phone Arena  |  Gresso  | Email this | Comments

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Easy Remote File Access With iTwin

iTwin looks like a double-ended USB flash drive, but it’s really a way to securely, remotely connect two internet-connected computers. �You can view, copy, edit, or upload files to the remote computer. �Data is protected by AES-256 encryption during transmission. �The iTwin is compatible only with Windows computers (XP, Vista, and Windows 7, both 32- [...]

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The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010

Very soon now -- probably in a year or two -- once everyone carries a smartphone, there won't be any discernible difference between our offline flesh-and-blood body and our online persona. That's not to say that real-life face-to-face interaction will slither into the abyss -- far from it! -- but we are reaching a stage where almost anything can be done online.

This obviously raises security concerns. If I can transfer money out of my bank account with just a name and password, so can you. That isn't to say that online security is worse than offline, however. SSL-encrypted communications are infinitely more secure than banking over the phone, or speaking in hushed tones in a brick-and-mortar bank. Passwords are a lot more secure than merely providing a 4-digit PIN or a mother's maiden name, too.

The actual problem is databases, or centralized repositories of information. It's no good having a password to your account if a nefarious types hacks a bank and takes all of the accounts. Likewise, putting your bag in a locker doesn't help if someone lifts the entire block of lockers into a truck and drives off.

2010 was a bad year for digital security breaches, and it won't get better until every organization and institution hires a security specialist and puts proper safeguards in place. This post, then, is dedicated to the organizations and institutions that left the barn door open in 2010 -- shame on you!Continue reading The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010The best (or worst) security breaches of 2010 originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Android Market listings will soon be able to display demo videos

It's hard to convey what some applications actually do through the use of static screenshots. Take apps like Dropbox, Fiabee, or Awesome Drop, for example. It's just not that easy to explain in two images how files get from your desktop to the cloud and then down to your phone. A video demo, however, could be a lot more useful -- and soon apps in the Android Market will be able to display them.

Right now, there are about 2,000 apps with newly-added videos in the Market but they aren't being displayed just yet. They're also available via the Market API, so some sites like Appsfire have already begun integrating the video demos into their own listings via the Market API. Check out AppsFire's Dropbox, Twidroyd, and Skyfire pages to see how helpful videos can be in illustrating an app's functionality.
Android Market listings will soon be able to display demo videos originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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How to Force Your Android Phone to Check for a System Update [Android]

You've just read or heard that your phone is due for an update—maybe just bug fixes, or possibly a big version upgrade. But your phone claims there's nothing doing. Dial this keypad combination to force a "checkin" and possible upgrade. More »

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WebGL has arrived in Google Chrome Beta; get your gaming hardware ready!

Okay, so we're not quite at the point where you're going to be playing the next Crysis sequel in your browser, but still -- the arrival of WebGL in Chrome's beta channel is kind of a big deal. Apart from being able to play around with cool demos like the ones offered up by Google in its official announcement, WebGL is another important step in bringing more desktop-like functionality to the Web.

In addition to cloud-y 3D support, hardware acceleration support is due to arrive at some point -- presumably before Chrome 9 gets pushed to the stable channel. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but we'll know soon enough thanks to the six-week release cycle.

Check your Chrome wrench icon for the update notification, or hit About Google Chrome to force a check.

Anyone else up for some WebGL Quake action?WebGL has arrived in Google Chrome Beta; get your gaming hardware ready! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Maybe We Should Be Putting Our 3D Efforts Into Food Printing [3D Printing]

We've seen 3D food printers before, but now we know exactly what deliciousness they're capable of. Food squeezed out of a syringe never looked so tasty—or artful. More »

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Motorola Cliq 2 pictures hit the outside world?

What, you didn't forget about the Cliq series, did you? The followup to Motorola and T-Mobile's slider's been long rumored -- we heard a few morsels of information back in September -- and now CellPhoneSignal has a few pics of what it claims is the Begonia, aka Cliq 2 (for T-Mobile, naturally). The keyboard here is, well, interesting, to say the least, and there's also apparently a five megapixel camera on the back. We're not really sure how our thumbs feel about the layout, but if this is legit, we'd reckon they'll get to try it out themselves sooner or later. That's what giant gadget trade shows are for, right? Right. More pictures via the source link.Motorola Cliq 2 pictures hit the outside world? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Community  |  CellPhoneSignals  | Email this | Comments

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Montage from Microsoft Labs introduces user-curated online magazines

In recent years, there has been a massive surge in popularity for audio-visual communication. Driven by an ever-increasing flow of data, the audio and visual channels are really our only recourse; reading text simply isn't fast enough. YouTube videos, Flash games and sites, infographics -- all of these, and more, are popular because of our limited bandwidth for the written word. It's almost like our brains breathe a sigh of relief when we can sit back and look at a picture or listen to some audio, rather than parsing word after word after word.

Microsoft in general (Bing!) and its FUSE Labs in particular have obviously noticed this trend towards visualization. Pivot, Kodu, Project Emporia and Spindex all have strong visual elements -- and its new project, Montage, is perhaps the most visual yet. Montage advertises itself as a tool that lets you share "your visual album of the Web," and that's exactly what it does. Take a look at some albums that other people have already made, such as the True Blood, or Jude Law.

The best bit is the Montage editor, however. Anyone can make a new album; all you have to do is type in a topic, and play with the beautiful browser-based editor. Each panel can be a different type -- text, video, RSS or news feed, Twitter stream, etc. -- and you can drag and drop each part of the layout until you're satisfied.

In short, it's a lovely toy to play with, and there's also the massive added bonus that its output is both functional and beautiful.Montage from Microsoft Labs introduces user-curated online magazines originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Rumor: Apple Preparing New, Verizon-Compatible iPad

Apple’s loose-lipped overseas partners are exchanging whispers about the next-generation iPad, claiming it will come in three different versions, one of which would work with Verizon’s network.
The iPad 2 will support three different wireless configurations: UMTS, CDMA and Wi-Fi only, according to “industry sources quoted by DigiTimes” citing component makers. That’s up from the two [...]

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Aequilibrium 3 challenges your mousing agility and sense of balance -- Time Waster

Back in June, I covered the original Aequilibrium; if you liked that game, then you're going to love the new version, Aequilibrium 3.

It's a game that's ostensibly about balance, but it's really about agility. Each level starts off with several pieces resting in perfect balance on a fulcrum. You have to remove all of the red blocks by clicking them, while keeping the whole thing from toppling down and off the screen.

For example, in the level shown above you should probably click the two middle triangles one after the other (the chunky ones, in the middle). Then click the two top ones one after the other, each in rapid succession. And then you're left with the two bottom ones (hopefully, unless everything fell off the fulcrum by now). That's the trickiest part, and you need quite a bit of speed to keep it all from falling.

It's not entirely about speed, though; there is some strategy involved, but a deft mouse-hand will certainly come in handy for this one.Aequilibrium 3 challenges your mousing agility and sense of balance -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Drop.io and Present.io officially shut down

At the end of October, Facebook acquired Drop.io and set about integrating the media sharing service into Facebook.com. At that time, they spelled out December 15th as the final shutdown date -- and while it's taken a few extra days, Drop.io has finally flatlined. Unsurprisingly, the company's less-talked-about Present.io screen sharing service has also been shuttered.

Both sites now display a no-nonsense "discontinued" message that lets you know you can still email support@drop.io with your inquiries. As for what Facebook plans on doing with Drop.io's assets -- we're just going to have to wait patiently. Perhaps we'll see some sort of Present.io-based video chat feature?Drop.io and Present.io officially shut down originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Sonic the Hedgehog will charge your Wiimote inductively, but he won't like it

He may be flashing a peace sign, but you can tell from the look in his eyes that Sonic isn't exactly thrilled to be doing anything to support Nintendo. This is the cat that made blast processing a reality, whose addiction for gold rings is legendary, and who hasn't starred in a truly great game since, well, since Sega stopped making hardware, now reduced to this. Look at him, perched atop a mock floating platform, brown and tan checkerboard base with a green top where you can set your Wiimotes for charging without stripping them of their prophylactics. Though the press release makes no mention of this, we were led to believe that this is not actually powered by your AC outlet, instead by the spirits of fuzzy little squirrels and rabbits trapped within, making this $49.99 figurine from Mad Catz all the more nefarious.Sonic the Hedgehog will charge your Wiimote inductively, but he won't like it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CoolestGadgets.com  |  Mad Catz  | Email this | Comments

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AT&T's Heart-Wrenching Texting and Driving PSA (Is Kind of Hypocritical?) [Video]

Distractedly driving while texting is a categorically reckless activity, like jaywalking, or drunk-IMing an ex-girlfriend. AT&T has a harrowing new film, titled "The Last Text," illustrating the awful consequences. But are they employing a distraction method of their own? More »

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Softbank brings NFC payment technology to iPhone 4

While most have assumed the iPhone 5 will include NFC technology for turning your iPhone into an eWallet, Japanese carrier Softbank has announced they’ll be releasing their own NFC payment system for the iPhone 4 ahead of Apple in the form of a sticker you can apply to Apple’s flagship smartphone. From Engadget:


[...]Softbank brings NFC payment technology to iPhone 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

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Freemake Video Converter adds Blu-Ray support, Web video downloading

Freemake's free Video Converter was already a very solid app, handling more than 200 import formats and able to output converted videos for playback on a wide array of devices. In the recently-released version 2.0, however, one major piece of missing functionality has been added.

Freemake 2 now supports Blu-Ray burning, allowing you to output dozens of hours of downloaded video to a single disc. If you don't have a Blu-Ray burner, no worries -- Freemake claims their media conversion kung-fu lets them cram 20 hours onto a single-layer DVD.

The upgrade doesn't stop there, however. Freemake 2 also adds the ability to download and convert videos directly from popular sharing sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Metacafe. Beyond sharing sites, Freemake can also grab video from Hulu, South Park Studios, The Daily Show, Megavideo, and several others -- including a good number of sites in the red light district. There's also a more full-featured preset editor, giving you advanced control over your default conversion settings.

The .Net 4.0 framework is required, but Freemake will install it for you if it's not already on your system.

Download Freemake Video Convertor 2.0Freemake Video Converter adds Blu-Ray support, Web video downloading originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Fisker raises Karma plug-in hybrid base price to $95,900, brings that 750i back into consideration

Oh, sure -- gas is bound to hit $4 a gallon before 2020, but you can buy an awful let of petrol with the money you'll save from dodging Fisker's increasingly expensive Karma. 'Course, those looking to blow 100 grand on an eco-friendly automobile are probably doing so just to throw Ma Earth a bone, but still -- money matters. Originally teased way back in the fall of 2007, Fisker's first plug-in hybrid still hasn't ended up anywhere near mass production, but it has managed to see two rather significant upticks in price all the while. Right around two years ago, we saw the $80,000 MSRP boosted by $7,000, and today, prospective customers are being notified via email that the Karma's base price is now sitting at $95,900 before a $950 destination fee. Granted, the company insists that this includes an integrated solar roof panel (valued at $5,000), and it still starts at $1,400 less than a Panamera S. And yeah, that base price does shrink to $88,400 after you include federal tax incentives. That said, we're doubting high-rollers that were dead-set on handing over $73,000 or so after tax breaks are currently stoked about an increase this large, particularly when there's still no definitive ship date. To Fisker's credit, we've seen General Motors go through similar trials and tribulations surrounding the Volt, and even at $95k, you'll be hard pressed to find more sexy than this on four (street legal) wheels.Fisker raises Karma plug-in hybrid base price to $95,900, brings that 750i back into consideration originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Autoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

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IncrediMail Inks New Two Year Deal With Google, But Are They Too Dependent?

IncrediMail, an Israel-based, NASDAQ-listed company that develops email clients and desktop software, has inked a new 2-year agreement with Google, which will go into effect January 1, 2011. This is good news for the software company - the partnership between the two firms is quite crucial for IncrediMail's bottom line.

The relationship between Incredimail and Google has always been a little rocky, to say the least. Three years ago, Google terminated its AdSense partnership with the company, sending IncrediMail's shares down more than 45 percent.

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8mm Vintage Camera is Hipstamatic for Video

IPhone photographers get all the retro-licious fun. Apps like Hipstamatic and Instagram let you mess with your pristine digital pics and make them look as if they came from a low-quality plastic camera from communist-era Eastern Europe. Now videographers can join in the image-degrading hijinks, with 8mm Vintage Camera.
The app does exactly what you’d expect. [...]

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NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video)

NeuroSky's mind-reading headsets haven't exactly revolutionized modern user input -- they just measure midichlorian count and control an app or three -- but the company's definitely moving towards products that the general public can take seriously. This BrainAthlete system, for instance, first graced Tokyo Game Show 2010 as an ugly sweatband, but has since graduated to this handsome golf visor cap, which merely measures an athlete's brainwaves as they play rather than promise brain control. The idea is that trainers can analyze the data in real time, and potentially find strengths and weaknesses in their charges' state of mind. The 40,000 yen (about $483) went on sale in Japan early this month, and promises to find stateside availability in the first quarter of next year. Plenty of time for you to figure out how you're going to get one onto your opponent's head. Video after the break.Continue reading NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video)NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PCWorld  |  BrainAthlete  | Email this | Comments

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AMD Radeon HD 6950 can be turned into an HD 6970 using a BIOS hack

Ah, the joy of getting something for nothing -- that's what this time of year is all about, right? The techPowerUp! guys seem to think so, and they've got the perfect gift for all you thrifty PC gaming enthusiasts: a BIOS flash for the Radeon HD 6950 that unlocks the full potential of its hardware (in other words, it turns it into an HD 6970). We already knew the two retail SKUs were built on the same Cayman core, but this hack confirms that all the 6950's performance handicaps have been enacted in software rather than hardware, leaving you all to flip a switch, click a few confirmatory dialogs, and get your game on. You should be aware that the retail 6970 card uses an 8-pin and a 6-pin connector for its auxiliary power whereas the 6950 only has a pair of 6-pin intakes, which might cause trouble under extreme loads, and there's also the fact that you'll most likely be hacking your warranty away together with your GPU's limitations. But hey, you can't make eggnog without cracking a few eggs.AMD Radeon HD 6950 can be turned into an HD 6970 using a BIOS hack originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  techPowerUp!  | Email this | Comments

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So, what'd you get?

Let's just call it what it is: the best Christmas ever. Why? Well, for starters, it's December 25th. Secondly, it's a Saturday in much of the world. How often does that happen? The technology outfits 'round the globe have managed to deliver a rather insane stack of wares to consider this year -- from terrifically desirable goods to rubbish that we wouldn't wish on our worst enemy's enemies -- and now it's our turn to pry into your business and find out what Santa Claus dumped (or didn't dump) under your tree overnight. Hit us up with your scores in comments below, and be sure to cast your vote as to whether or not the kid on the right is feigning excitement over his newfound laptop. Oh, the kid in the video just past the break -- that's probably useful information.

When you're done, check out what people got jazzed about in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.Continue reading So, what'd you get?So, what'd you get? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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Rumor: iPad 2 Has Bigger Speaker, Flat Back, Smaller Body

Today’s iPad rumor comes courtesy of Japanese blog MacOtakara. According to “sources in China,” the iPad 2 will be smaller, flatter and have a bigger, beefier speaker.
Even MacOtakara is skeptical of the rumors, but ? true or not ? they sound plausible. The new iPad will shave 3mm off the screen’s bezel, making for a [...]

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Rogue antivirus apps now masquerading as utility software, too

Once upon a time, rogue antivirus apps were pretty much one-trick ponies. They tried to closely mimic the interfaces we recognize from apps like AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials and use goofily-combined names like Super Windows Antivirus 2010 Gold Pro. However, as Sunbelt reports on their official blog, malware authors are now branching out into other types of bogus apps in order to lure more users into their trap.

To the trained eye, everything about PCoptimizer 2010 looks suspicious -- from the Intel Inside decal to the "Register Errors" text. The unwary Windows user, however, could be tricked just as easily by this trainwreck of a rogue app as her or she could be by a convincing antivirus clone.

Your best defense, of course, is to arm yourself with knowledge and look before you leap. Real, quality utility programs tend not to use flashy pop-up advertisements, make sensational sounding claims about fixing thousands of errors in your registry, and they usually use the correct terms. Register errors? I think you mean registry errors, Captain Scammy.

If you really need a few apps to keep your Windows system running in tip-top shape, check out this collection of six handy tools and our more recent rundown of 15+ trustworthy programs.Rogue antivirus apps now masquerading as utility software, too originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video)

NeuroSky's mind-reading headsets haven't exactly revolutionized modern user input -- they just measure midichlorian count and control an app or three -- but the company's definitely moving towards products that the general public can take seriously. This BrainAthlete system, for instance, first graced Tokyo Game Show 2010 as an ugly sweatband, but has since graduated to this handsome golf visor cap, which merely measures an athlete's brainwaves as they play rather than promise brain control. The idea is that trainers can analyze the data in real time, and potentially find strengths and weaknesses in their charges' state of mind. The 40,000 yen (about $483) went on sale in Japan early this month, and promises to find stateside availability in the first quarter of next year. Plenty of time for you to figure out how you're going to get one onto your opponent's head. Video after the break.Continue reading NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video)NeuroSky sticks EEG sensors in a golf visor, sells it to Japanese athletes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PCWorld  |  BrainAthlete  | Email this | Comments

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ChromeBlock extension for Google Chrome puts the kibosh on third-party tracking

Third-party browser tracking -- and how to give users more control over it -- is a hot topic right now. Microsoft and the FCC have similar plans, one former Google employee recently took the wraps off his take, and now there's another Chrome extension which turns the tracking blocker knob up to eleven.

It's called Do Not Track (DNT) ChromeBlock, and it gives you an easy way to shut down around 90 different Web tracking networks. Just about every well-known harvester is listed: Google, MSN, Alexa, Doubleclick, Omniture, Quantcast, Tynt and Cleeki, to name a few. You can choose to block networks as DNT detects their presence on a page, or you can opt out in advance by clicking the show global settings link. The overlay on DNT's browser action button tells you how many networks are detected and how many you've chosen to block.

Do Not Track works nicely in tandem with Disconnect, so those of you looking for as much tracking protection as possible can go ahead and install both extensions. Even if you're not concerned with blocking the connections, it's very interesting to see which sites you browse are sending data to different providers.

Install ChromeBlock for Google Chrome

ed note: sorry for the confusion, the extension's name was changed prior to this post being publishedChromeBlock extension for Google Chrome puts the kibosh on third-party tracking originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Deal of the Day ? HP Pavilion dv7 Select Edition with $100 Discount Coupon AND Free Memory and Blu-ray Upgrades

The LogicBUY deal for Friday features the HP Pavilion dv7 Select Edition laptop.� You?ll get a $100 discount coupon when you purchase this redesigned laptop.� The HP dv7tse has an aluminum body, Altec Lansing speakers with Beats Audio and HP Triple Bass subwoofer, and TruVision HD webcam. HP is giving free 8GB RAM upgrades and [...]

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How to Make that New Smartphone Actually Smart [Howto]

Your X-Mas wish came true! Santa wisely consulted one of our best-of-the-best lists and left you a shiny new smartphone under the tree. So, uh, now what? Here's a step-by-step guide to getting that bad boy up and running. More »

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HTC 7 Pro shows up on O2 Germany's site, promises January launch

HTC had pegged "early next year" for the 7 Pro's launch in Europe, and when you think about it, January is just about as "early" as you can get. O2's boys and girls in Germany have thrown up a teaser page for the QWERTY-equipped Windows Phone 7 handset, saying it's expected to be available next month -- a promising sign, indeed. Granted, launch dates can always slip, but considering how desperately the world needs some more landscape QWERTY options for WP7, we'd bet it's one of HTC's top priorities to get this thing pushed.

[Thanks, Jens]HTC 7 Pro shows up on O2 Germany's site, promises January launch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  O2 Germany  | Email this | Comments

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Knoword is a fun way to test and improve your vocabulary

Think you have a good vocabulary? If that's true, Knoword lets you show it off... or find out that maybe it isn't as great as you thought. Knoword is a fast dictionary game. You'll be shown a definition along with the first letter of the word and you need to figure out what the word is. Once you type the word (correctly, mind you - spelling matters), you get points and get the next word.

Initially you have 60 seconds to figure out the correct response; with each word you find correctly, you receive additional time. When you find several words in a row, you get a "Word Streak" badge. If the game has you completely stumped, you can always skip a word. This also requires a bit of quick thinking, because skipping a word results in a small point penalty. On the other hand, the clock is ticking... so is this word on the tip of your tongue, or should you skip it and go on to the next?

You can also open an account and have your game results saved. If you're good enough, you may end up somewhere in the player rankings.Knoword is a fun way to test and improve your vocabulary originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Phosphor World Time Curved E-Ink Watch Review

As an amateur horologist, my interest jumped up a tick when Julie posted the news item on the recently-released Phosphor World Time Curved E-Ink Watch.�� Though I favor rather largish, shall we say ‘robust’ watches, the Phosphor E-Ink watch line’s appearance, with its unique display technology and case style, was intriguing, so I was happy [...]

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Reva's text-to-recharge electric car rolls to a standstill the US

Remember the electric car with the ingenious hook of a reserve battery that can only be accessed in the case of an emergency by texting or calling the car's manufacturer? Well, it appears that the project is having a bit of trouble getting off the ground in the US, though it shockingly doesn't have anything to do with that flagship feature. As the story goes, upstart Bannon Automotive signed a deal with the car's manufacturer, India-based Reva Electric Car Company, that gave it the exclusive license to manufacture and sell the car in the US, but Bannon is now alleging that Reva broke its agreements and says it's been left with no choice but to take legal action. Ill-conceived feature aside, the stakes in the lawsuit are fairly high, as Bannon Automotive was actually formed with the sole intention of bringing the Reva electric car to the US, and it had hoped to bring as many as 250 jobs to Onondaga County, New York.Reva's text-to-recharge electric car rolls to a standstill the US originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 00:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Syracuse.com  | Email this | Comments

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Porn in the United Kingdom to become opt-in

Not one to let the hyperconservative Australian government walk away with the censorship crown, the UK government plans to make the surfing of Internet porn opt-in. Next month, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey will meet with major UK ISPs to discuss a blanket block of porn. Rather than porn being available to all, UK surfers will have to contact their ISP to be allowed on a 'porn surfing whitelist.'

In customary political masquerading style, this is being pushed through as a "think of the kids!!" measure. It recently emerged that as many as one-in-three children under 10 in the UK has seen pornography on the Internet, and the government, spearheaded by Conservative MP Claire Perry, wants to protect those kids at all costs. The irony is, it's not like 10-year-olds have their own computers and Internet connections -- they are either viewing porn at home, at a friend's house, or at school. If dad, or mom, opts into the porn whitelist, we're back at square one.

Of course, the other option is that mom and dad swear off the porn altogether, for the sake of the children. But is that really a fair system? Isn't that just censorship, dressed up as something else?

"Oh, yeah, we're making alcohol opt-in too. Most children are abused by drunken parents... and you don't want to abuse your kids, right?" While we're at it, how about a special ID card that lets you buy pornographic magazines and DVDs from shops? Why should the Internet be treated differently?

Seriously, the reasoning behind this program is that porn is damaging to children. As in, on a mental health level, children are being scarred by the early viewing of porn. Why porn, instead of violent imagery? Is porn really more perverse than the face-planting, gonad-thumping masochism readily available on YouTube? Will video games be next, and will you have to carry them in brown paper bags?Porn in the United Kingdom to become opt-in originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Watch a Video of Hawaii's North Shore in 3D [Video]

The next best thing to surfing in Hawaii? Probably surfing somewhere else. The best thing after that? Watching people surf in Hawaii in 3D. The people are more beautiful, the waves are sicker and Hawaii makes 3D actually sorta cool. More »

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No Lock for Android disables "slide to unlock" keyguard

My Android device has a tiny power button, and it's usually in a holster. Really, what are the odds of me turning it on accidentally?
If you purchased previously reviewed power-tool Tasker, you can use it to selectively disable the slide to unlock feature, amongst the myriad of other things it can do.
However, if you didn't purchase Tasker, or are just looking for a quick and free solution, No Lock might be right up your alley.
This no-frills app presents a huge button you can press to toggle the keyguard. When the keyguard is off, you need only press the power button on your device to start interacting with it - no sliding involved.
There's also a handy 1x1 widget you can put on your homescreen and tap whenever you want to toggle the keyguard. The only feature I wish it had is a "dual button" unlock, whereby I can press the power button and then the camera button to unlock; I think that could definitely keep me from switching the device on accidentally. Still, for most cases, No Lock gets the job done. You can find its QR code after the jump.Continue reading No Lock for Android disables "slide to unlock" keyguardNo Lock for Android disables "slide to unlock" keyguard originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Skype finally bringing video calling to iPhone 4, maybe other mobile platforms?

So let us set this up for you: Skype has been telling everyone that it'll be making a "series of video-related announcements" at CES next month... and it's participating in a panel called "Video Calling Gets Ready for Primetime," so yeah, needless to say, we'd have to guess that Skype's finally getting ready to enter the mobile video calling game in a big way. Anyhow, the final piece in the puzzle filtered into our inbox this morning: a help document on Skype's site detailing making video calls using Skype for iPhone. We don't know whether there's a corresponding document out there for Android, Symbian, or other operating systems, but we're certainly hoping so -- because if these guys come to the table at once with versions for all the major phone platforms, we've got a feeling they'll be dominating the mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-PC video calling market in no time.

Oh, and here's a little trivia fact for you: the Nokia N900 was actually the first device to get official video calling support from Skype, so this isn't a first for these guys -- but it'll certainly be the first time they've taken it to a mass market. Seems like they'll probably have the MeeGo build ready to go, at least.

[Thanks, Nelson]

Update: ...and they've pulled the help document. You'll just have to trust us, it was there. We swear!Skype finally bringing video calling to iPhone 4, maybe other mobile platforms? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Skype  | Email this | Comments

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Dell's 7-inch (or 10-inch) Android tablet gets WiFi certification?

Remember how Dell's supposed to be introducing a 7-inch Tegra 2-powered Android tablet, like, right now, possibly followed by a 10-inch model in a few months? Well, we're not saying that's what's going on here, but consider the facts: the original 5-inch Streak has a model code of M01M, and a new device with code M02M just popped up in the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification database identified as a "Mobile Internet Device" in the Smartphone category. Yes, 7 inches is a bit large for a "smartphone," but the Alliance doesn't have a great category for these tweeners that support cellular data (and like the European Galaxy Tab, some of them really are smartphones anyway). PocketNow suggests that we could also be looking at the Streak 2, which is possible -- but considering the groundswell of rumors we've been hearing about a slightly larger tablet in the pipeline, that's where our money lies. That holds especially true considering how close we are to CES, which promises to be a veritable tablet-fest this year -- but regardless, we bet the truth comes out within the next couple weeks.Dell's 7-inch (or 10-inch) Android tablet gets WiFi certification? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PocketNow  |  Wi-Fi Alliance  | Email this | Comments

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Daily Crunch: On Watch Edition

Get Equipped With Mega Man E-Tank Mug CES 2011: Let The Boredom Begin! JVC Announces Three New Everio Camcorders A DIY Gorillapod Right In Time For Gift Giving Video: Yes, These Kids Are Google Earth Sky-Diving

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No Windows 8 demo at CES in January?

Thanks to a single sentence in a New York Times article, a number of blogs are trumpeting the first public demonstration of Windows 8 at CES in January. It was already known that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer would be on stage to showcase a handful of slates, but would they really be running the first builds of Windows.next already?

According to the Times, a source "with knowledge of Microsoft's plans" believed "Ballmer might demonstrate a tablet and other companion devices running the next operating system, Windows 8." However, as Tom Warren points out, Microsoft is currently laying out the groundwork for Windows 8 -- planning and preparing for what Ballmer called Microsoft's "riskiest product bet."

January seems a bit soon to be showing off something your CEO thinks is your "riskiest bet," especially considering this is the same company that just tried to launch the Kin. While there may indeed be a prototype or concept device on display, there's a good chance it could run an existing flavor of Windows with a slate-specific UI on top. Windows 8 itself, however, will likely not be on display.No Windows 8 demo at CES in January? originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Navy Helicopter Pilots Cause $505,000 in Damage for Cool Facebook Pictures [Video]

Remember that video of Navy pilots dunking helicopters in Lake Tahoe? Turns out they did it to take Facebook photos for their squad's page. The stunt resulted in $505,000 in damage to the helicopters, but neither crew was punished. More »

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T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot shows up in FCC courtesy of ZTE

Remember those rumors earlier this week that T-Mobile was finally getting ready to launch a mobile hotspot or two? Seeing how Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint have all done it, it certainly makes sense -- especially with this newfangled 21Mbps HSPA+ network T-Mobile's got going on -- and sure enough, we've now got concrete evidence of a unit in the FCC's database. The MF61 from Chinese manufacturer ZTE is pretty clearly labeled "T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot" inside... so yeah, there's your smoking gun. Confidentiality prevents us from seeing the user's manual or a photo of the thing, but from what little we can see, looks like we'll end up with a rounded unit not unlike the variant of the Novatel MiFi on AT&T and a number of European carriers. Really, though, doesn't matter what it looks like -- as long as it fits in a pocket and blasts high-speed data to a handful of WiFi connected devices of our choosing, that's all we need.T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot shows up in FCC courtesy of ZTE originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  FCC  | Email this | Comments

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Santa's Privacy Policy [Humor]

At Santa's Workshop, your privacy is important. What follows is an explanation of how Santa's Workshop collects and safeguards your personal information; the kind of information it collects; and your choices regarding the use and disclosure of this information. More »

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Moto Mundo world tour pushes all-electric Nissan Qashqai to its limit

They're far from the first to put an all-electric car to an endurance test, but the team behind Moto Mundo are certainly near the head of the pack when it comes to sheer ambition. They set out from Denmark with a pair of Nissan Qashqai SUVs turned electric by AfutureEV back in June, and recently entered the US after making treks across Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia and China. As for the vehicles themselves, they apparently have a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour and a range of 200 kilometers on a charge (at 80 kph), although they can apparently eek out 300 kilometers in "slow city driving." Making the trek even more impressive, as one Autoblog Green commenter has pointed out, is the fact that two similar cars converted by AfutureEV have apparently burst into flames and sparked some serious fires. No such problems have plagued Moto Mundo's trip, though, and they're soon set to roll into the Detroit Auto Show for an appearance.
Moto Mundo world tour pushes all-electric Nissan Qashqai to its limit originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Autoblog Green  |  Moto Mundo  | Email this | Comments

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Google Docs Spreadsheet gets multi-user revision history

So far, Google Docs has been no match for Excel's raw power. Recent additions such as macro editing and scripting bring it somewhat closer, but it's still an uphill battle for Google. So instead of playing catch-up, they're now giving Spreadsheets users something Office users don't have - multi-user revision history.

While Excel does let users track changes, you can't separate the changes into distinct revisions easily (i.e, "all changes made yesterday"). The new tool for Google Docs allows users to see color-coded previous versions of the spreadsheet, with clear indications of who changed what and when. This functionality has been available for text documents for a while now, but having it for spreadsheets is definitely going to come in handy for collaborative work.Google Docs Spreadsheet gets multi-user revision history originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Ion Personal Genome Machine: the DNA sequencer with an iPod dock

We're still struggling to find the speakers on this thing, but Life Technologies' new Ion Personal Genome Machine does at least have one big advantage over most other iPod docks: it's... a personal genome machine. Curiously, the company itself isn't doesn't seem to be talking up the iPod dock at all, but MedGadget reports that it can be used to explore a genome and check on the status of given sequencing run with either an iPhone or iPod touch. As for the device itself, while it's still only designed for research use and "not intended for animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use," the company does have some pretty grand designs for the future. According to Ion Torrent founder Dr. Jonathan M. Rothberg, the company hopes to eventually do nothing short of doing for DNA sequencing what digital cameras did for photography. Head on past the break for the complete press release.Continue reading Ion Personal Genome Machine: the DNA sequencer with an iPod dockIon Personal Genome Machine: the DNA sequencer with an iPod dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Pocket-lint  |  MedGadget  | Email this | Comments

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EOps Noisezero i+ Eco earbuds get cornstartch construction, finger-friendly design (video)

Hard to say when (or if) these beauts will ever hit the market, but we've all ideas they'd move quite briskly if positioned in a nondescript kind of store that tends to sell fruit, peripherals and things heavily prefixed with "i." Designed Michael Young has teamed up with EOps to create the Noisezero i+ Eco Edition earbuds, which are constructed with cornstarch (you know, in honor of Ma Earth), equipped with an iPod / iPhone-friendly inline remote and outfitted with a unique design that purportedly makes it easier for these to be inserted into one's ear canal. We're told that they'll eventually be available in charcoal, rustic brown, midnight blue and sage green, and yes, a carrying case would be included. Too bad there's nary a hint as to where you can actually buy 'em, but the video just below the break will give you a better idea of what to hunt for.Continue reading EOps Noisezero i+ Eco earbuds get cornstartch construction, finger-friendly design (video)EOps Noisezero i+ Eco earbuds get cornstartch construction, finger-friendly design (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmodo  |  Michael Young, Dezeen  | Email this | Comments

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Rollei goes 3D with Power Flex 3D point-and-shoot, Designline 3D photo frame

There may still be some camera makers resisting the 3D trend, but that's getting to be an increasingly dwindling lot -- the latest to jump into the game is Rollei, the 90-year old German manufacturer, which has just announced its new Power Flex 3D point-and-shoot and accompanying Designline 3D photo frame. As you can see above, the camera looks fairly unremarkable expect for that second lens, and the specs are also pretty much in line with some similar 3D point-and-shoots, including 720p video recording, 5 megapixel still images, and a 2.8-inch LCD 'round back that promises to let you see your images in something resembling 3D without the need for 3D glasses. The photo frame also apparently uses the same sort of no-glasses 3D, but thankfully packs a larger 7-inch screen -- check it out after the break. Still no word on a release over here, but both the camera and photo frame will be available in Europe next month for €300 (or just under $400) apiece.
Continue reading Rollei goes 3D with Power Flex 3D point-and-shoot, Designline 3D photo frameRollei goes 3D with Power Flex 3D point-and-shoot, Designline 3D photo frame originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink DC Views  |  Rollei  | Email this | Comments

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Get Intimate with a Nighttime Shrimp in 3D [Video]

Consider the shrimp. Delicious to eat, whether doomed to a deep fryer or steamed and dunked in cocktail sauce. But, they're also quite enjoyable to watch prancing around! Especially in 3D, seen here, with a suitably sci-fi underwater soundtrack. More »

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AllMyApps is a sexy download store for Windows

The Mac App Store is coming next month, but Windows users have a similar store they can enjoy right now. AllMyApps has just launched in beta, and it's ready to help you find, install, and share loads of great free (and eventually paid) software.

Apps are grouped by category such as utilities, security, office, video, and communication and you'll find just about every must-have free Windows app you can imagine in the AllMyApps catalog. Favorites like Firefox, Chrome, Skype, Dropbox, 7-zip, and Microsoft Security Essentials are all there for the downloading. The only one of my core apps I found absent was Sugarsync -- all of my other required apps are listed.

Program detail pages include basic information about their functionality, screenshots, relevant tweets, and other useful tidbits like the app's current version, number of downloads, and file size.Continue reading AllMyApps is a sexy download store for WindowsAllMyApps is a sexy download store for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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How to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbook

It was only a matter of time: a page on the Chromium Projects website has emerged, detailing how to install Ubuntu on a Cr-48 netbook. The process is, understandably, a little risky -- but it's not like there are any tech bloggers out there that don't know how to use Linux, right?

Snarkiness aside, the process is actually very easy. You have to hack at the SSD's filesystem a little and fiddle with the Chrome OS kernel, but if you do everything right, you should be rewarded with a dual-boot system capable of running both Ubuntu and Chrome OS.

The best bit, though, is that you have to enable 'developer mode' to escape Chrome OS's 'verified boot' security measure. To do this, you need to flip a switch on the back, under the battery, as per the hilarious instructional photo shown after the break.Continue reading How to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbookHow to boot Ubuntu on the Cr-48 Chrome OS netbook originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Metrodome is a metronome for Google Chrome

So the Chrome Web Store is upon us, and I decided to cover my first Web Store application for Download Squad. Rather than aiming for something high-profile like the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online app, I decided to go with Metrodome!
Yes, it's just a humble metronome, but it's graceful. It comes with three different sound options (a "tick", a "beep" and a "tock"), all quite pleasant-sounding. But what I like best about it is that it shows a huge dot right in the middle of the window, that goes on and off to the beat. This makes it possible to play by eyesight rather than by listening to the metronome, so you can jam with your headphones connected to your amp and just watch the metronome on-screen.
You can set the BPM, of course, but only by clicking the up/down arrows. This means you're in for a lot of clicking if you want something drastically different than the default (120bpm). This is actually the only extra feature I wish this metronome had. Other than that, it's a beaut!Metrodome is a metronome for Google Chrome originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Google buys gigantic former NYC Port Authority building, takes a chunk out of Chelsea

Growing companies need growing workspaces, and Google just bought one of the biggest possible in NYC. It's the former Port Authority Building at 111 Eighth Avenue, a massive brick establishment that, according to Wired Epicenter, set the company back an equally massive $1.9 billion. There's a helipad on top, perfect for quick getaways in the company's ROFLcopter, but more importantly a major fiber line runs through the building, giving the Googs priority access to bits flowing through the city. Google already has a presence within those crimson walls, which also houses offices of communications companies like Verizon and Level 3, companies who might just need to be finding new spaces when their current leases expire, because Google is "hiring across the board," apparently hoping to fill that thing to the brim.Google buys gigantic former NYC Port Authority building, takes a chunk out of Chelsea originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 07:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired Epicenter  |  The Official Google Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Windows Phone 7 "Mango" may add HTML5, Silverlight support to WP7's browser

Over at ZDNet, Mary Jo Foley has been speculating about the future of Windows Phone 7. According to Foley, a major update is due around Jan/Feb 2011, adding copy/paste functionality and two major browsing enhancements: HTML 5 support and a Silverlight plug-in. Foley also wonders whether enterprise tweaks might be part of the game plan as well. Microsoft, of course, doesn't comment on rumors -- so we'll have to wait for someone to score some hands-on time with the WP7 update.

Despite the update's appetizing codename, Microsoft doesn't seem to be converging on a single food-related theme for its Windows Phone OS. The next release, Windows Phone 8, is codenamed "Apollo". We can only hope 8.5 will be codenamed "Starbuck".

Bear in mind this is all sheer speculation; however, after Windows Phone 7's somewhat lackluster launch, any sort of improvement could be exciting.Windows Phone 7 "Mango" may add HTML5, Silverlight support to WP7's browser originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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